Pakistan PM Khan vows to grant Afghan refugees citizenship

Andres Norman |Tuesday, September 18, 2018

Pakistan PM Khan vows to grant Afghan refugees citizenship

The auction, which was meant to earn as much as $16 million to help fill Pakistan's coffers, netted just $600,000 on Monday, the BBC reports. The displaced families have fled decades of conflict, ethnic and religious persecution, poverty and economic hardships in turmoil-hit Afghanistan.

It was unclear whether Khan, who was speaking at an event in the southern coastal metropolis of Karachi, intends to grant citizenship to Afghans born in Pakistan or to all those who have made a home there.

In comments which may snowball into a major diplomatic row, former Army chief and MoS MEA VK Singh has said that Imran Khan is controlled by the Pakistan Army.

"Then why can't we do it here". Why are we so cruel to these people?

He informed that under the worldwide convention, the refugees can not be forced to go back to their homeland.

"Pakistan has been host to one of the largest refugee population in the world and granting citizenship to those eligible seems to be a logical next step both legally and morally", Saroop Ijaz, a representative for Human Rights Watch said.

The British official said his government was willing to support and extend full cooperation to the government of Pakistan in these areas. Afghans are a significant portion of the almost 20 million residents in Karachi.

They also criticise the 66-year-old cricketer-turned-politician for preferring luxury trips overseas while preaching the public at large to lead a simple life.

Khan also said undocumented Bengali immigrants living in Pakistan would be given passports. He will meet with the kingdom's top brass and seek to bolster bilateral ties, as well as, discuss the regional security situation besides touching upon issues of mutual interest.

The prime minister will be accompanied by Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Finance Minister Asad Umar and Adviser to the PM on Commerce Abdul Razak Dawood, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The allegations are at the center of bilateral political tensions.

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